08/11/2017

Happy Friday! We have been melting here in Oregon since the first part of August. Lots of hot days, a few hundred plus degree days, which is unusual for Oregon, especially since a good majority of the folks here don't have central air conditioning. I hate to say it, but I wouldn't mind a good rain shower as we haven't had any rain in almost two months. Hard to believe after all the rain we got all winter and spring. At least, there has been plenty of lovely sunshine! Hope you have found some great reads this summer, if you are still looking for inspiration, I have some suggestions. Here are all the highlights from next week's upcoming releases. Let me know if anything tickles your fancy. Also tell me hot it is where you live. (Click on covers for details).

Forecast for August 13th-19th

Hopefully there is something that catches your eye this week.

Weather for Portland, Oregon:

Saturday: H 83 L 57 Sunny Sunday: H 70 L 55 Possible Rain Showers

We haven't had any rain in two months. It is dry and the skies are smokey from the wildfires. I hope we do see some rain it is very much needed!

08/10/2017

The disappearance of a beautiful, charismatic mother leaves her family to piece together her secrets in this propulsive novel for fans of Big Little Lies--from the bestselling author of All We Ever Wanted Was Everything.

Who you want people to be makes you blind to who they really are.It's been a year since Billie Flanagan--a Berkeley mom with an enviable life--went on a solo hike in Desolation Wilderness and vanished from the trail. Her body was never found, just a shattered cellphone and a solitary hiking boot. Her husband and teenage daughter have been coping with Billie's death the best they can: Jonathan drinks as he works on a loving memoir about his marriage; Olive grows remote, from both her father and her friends at the all-girls school she attends. But then Olive starts having strange visions of her mother, still alive. Jonathan worries about Olive's emotional stability, until he starts unearthing secrets from Billie's past that bring into question everything he thought he understood about his wife. Who was the woman he knew as Billie Flanagan? Together, Olive and Jonathan embark on a quest for the truth--about Billie, but also about themselves, learning, in the process, about all the ways that love can distort what we choose to see. Janelle Brown's insights into the dynamics of intimate relationships will make you question the stories you tell yourself about the people you love, while her nervy storytelling will keep you guessing until the very last page.Audio CD, UnabridgedPublished July 11th 2017 by Random House Audio Publishing GroupSource: Publisher

Two and a half stars: If you are looking for a thriller, this isn’t it. Instead this is a book that once again examines the question of how well can you really know someone?

It has been a year since Billie Flanagan disappeared while hiking alone in the Desolation Wilderness. She left behind her husband, Johnathon, and seventeen year old daughter, Olive, who are still trying to face the fact that she must be dead after all this time. Then Olive starts having visions of her mother, and she becomes convinced that Billie is alive. Olive and Jonathon start digging to find the answers, and what they uncover paints a very different picture of the woman they thought they knew. Who was Billie Flanagan?

What I Liked:

Watch Me Disappear is an interesting story. It is one that explores the question of how well can you know someone. If you haven’t yet read a novel that takes on this topic, it will be an engaging read for you.

I was intrigued by the mystery surrounding Billie’s disappearance. I became convinced, like Jonathon and Olive, that perhaps she wasn’t dead. I liked following the clues the two uncovered, and trying to solve the mystery of whether or not Billie was dead or if she had disappeared. I was kept guessing until the end.

I liked that Billie’s character kept evolving and changing. At first, she comes across in Jonathon’s memoir as a loving mother and wife, full of spark, vivacious energy and a non conformist spirit. Then, her image becomes tarnished as both Jonathon and Olive uncover the truth about her past. By the end, it goes to show the that you can never really know someone.

I was excited by the strange mystery of Olive’s version in the first part of the book. Was there a supernatural force at work allowing her to see her mother, or was it something else?

The ending has a couple of small twists, nothing that caught me off guard, I was expecting it. Still, I appreciated that the author provided the answers, and that the book concluded without any cliffhanger or unfinished story lines.

And The Not So Much:

I think what put me off the most about this story was that I didn’t like or connect with any of the characters. Jonathon and Olive were okay, but I never really liked either one of them. Then there is Billie. The more I learned about her, the less I liked her, until by the end, I completely despised her. She was an egocentric person, and I couldn’t have cared less what happened to her either way.

The book starts off interesting enough, but then it drags and drags until it reaches a boring finish. The author tries to throw in a twist at the end, but it was easy to see coming, and by then I just didn’t care.

I hated the chapters that included bits of Jonathon’s memoirs about Billie. They served as points of reflection that had the reader questioning if you can really know someone. They changed in tone, but they still bored me.

I expected this to be a thriller with exciting twists and turns, but it wasn’t. It is a rather straightforward, boring story about a bored house wife who disappears. Even the parts that were supposedly supernatural turn out to be something else. In the end, this was a total fizzle for me.

Watch Me Disappear was a book I picked up looking for a thrilling mystery. What I got was a fizzle. The story was okay, but I didn’t like any of the characters, especially Billie, the missing woman. By the time I got to the end, I just didn’t care anymore. If you are interested in reading this one, definitely borrow it from your library.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

08/09/2017

Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie–scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to—a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout’s knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and, with that, one another. Despite the media’s attempts, they never meet. Now, Quincy is doing well—maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiancé, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won’t even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past. That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl, is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy’s doorstep. Blowing through Quincy’s life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy question why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa’s death come to light, Quincy’s life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam’s truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and, most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished.Audiobook, eAudiobook/UnabridgedPublished July 11th 2017 by Penguin AudioSource: Publisher

Three and a half stars: A thriller that pays homage to the old slasher flicks, but it loses it’s way in the final third.

Quincy has spent the last ten years trying to remember what happened to her that fateful night at Pine Cottage where she ended up being the sole survivor after a mad man attacked and killed all of her friends. She is dubbed a Final Girl by the media, and she is inducted into a small group of girls who all were the only survivors of brutal attacks. Then one of the Final Girls turns up dead, and another one shows up at Quincy’s house. Everything comes hurtling at Quincy, threatening to destroy the fragile new life she has created. Will Quincy survive being a Final Girl?

What I Liked:

Final Girls is being dubbed as the must read thriller of the summer. I can say it was an enjoyable thriller, and there are some good twists that will surprise you, so if you are in the mood for a thriller, this is one to check out.

I liked that I was constantly changing my opinion of Quincy. Is she truly a victim with selective amnesia or is their something more sinister going on with her that she is hiding? At first, I liked her and felt sorry for her, but then my opinion began to waver. Is she an unreliable narrator? I enjoyed trying to figure her out.

The mystery is solid. The story moves back and forth in time. You get the present day where Quincy is trying to sort out what happened in the past, and then you get snippets from the events at Pine Cottage ten years ago. I enjoyed going back in time and getting glimpses of what happened that night bit by bit, it added to the tension, especially since it plays out like a slasher movie. Then the final few chapters are exciting and thrilling as the twists and turns drop. You may figure it out beforehand or you may not, either way, it is fun to finally get the truth.

The ending is neat, no lingering questions, no cliffhangers or jarring finales. It all concludes nicely, leaving the reader satisfied.

I was please for the most part with the audiobook version. Erin Bennett always does a good job with the narration. Her male voices aren't the best, but they work. My one hesitation was that I wasn't sure why they used a different narrator, Hilary Huber, to do the events at Pine Cottage, they were still told from Quincy's point of view. It was confusing at first.

And The Not So Much:

When Samantha Brown, one of the Final Girls, shows up on Quincy’s doorstep, things take a new direction. At first, I was interested in Sam and her motives, but after awhile, I was done with her. It was obvious to me what the author was trying to do with Sam. I wanted her to go away. At least there was an interesting twist finally at the end regarding Sam.

The book starts out exciting, and I was eager with anticipation. Then it drags and falters with all the messiness that is Sam. I found myself growing bored. Thankfully, the final part picks up with the last recollections of Pine Cottage, and the thrilling revelation of the culprit. It just requires some patience to get there.

I think what bothered me about the whole story line with Sam dropping into Quincy’s life was that I found it hard to believe that Quincy would be so willing to trust a stranger and let them into her life after what happened to her.

This was a good read, but it lacked a bit of something. It certainly didn’t grab me like some of the recent thrillers of the past. It is still worth checking out, but don’t expect to be blown away.

Final Girls is a solid thriller, worth reading. However, be warned that the pace falters about half way through, and it becomes stale. It does pick up with a dramatic finale and some interesting twists. This is worth checking out if you want a thriller for summer, but keep in mind, it isn’t one that will blow you away.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

08/08/2017

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where I discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

Here is the scintillating post of the week:

Do you feel pressure to read more in genres that other bloggers read?

If you are a blogger, you likely have a circle of close blogger friends, whose blogs you read daily. Lots of times, you will notice that these bloggers, whom you consider to be your friends, usually have the same reading tastes that you do. However, you will also notice that many of your blogging buddies read in genres that perhaps you don't, so when see you friends reading certain books do you feel the need to challenge yourself and try the books and genres that your friends like?

Hmm....as I sit and think on this question, there isn't a clear cut answer. In the beginning of the blog almost six years ago, I have to admit that I was greatly swayed by whatever one else was doing and reading. As a newbie blogger, I wanted to fit in and be part of the in crowd. So that meant I was reading a lot of Young Adult books, which I admit before the blog, I almost never read YA books. I quickly found myself inundated with YA reads because that is what everyone else was reading. The problem with reading what the crowd was reading, I found blogging got to be a bit stale as I was constantly reading reviews on blogs over and over for the same book. I got to the point where I didn't want to read another review for certain books. The other thing that troubled me was that I was finding that I was not always a fan of the books that others were reading, and as you know if you aren't reading what makes you happy, you quickly become a burned out blogger.

Flash forward almost six years later to the older, wiser blogger, (definitely older if not wiser). These days, I am happy to report that I am beating to my own drum. I am reaching for more and more of the books I want to read, and I am not so much swayed by the books other bloggers are reading. I have learned to read what makes me happy. I like that others are doing the same because now there is so much more diversity around the blogosphere. I love finding titles that others highly recommend, and sometimes, I am willing to go with the crowd if a book keeps popping up over and over.

However, I have come to terms with that fact that certain genres just aren't for me no matter how many positive reviews I read for a book. I have tried and found that historical romances aren't my cuppa. I don't know what it is, but I am not attracted to historical romances in the least. They just don't do it for me. (I am hiding behind a large door as I don't want to get pelted with rotten fruit as you all are reading this).

I have accepted the fact that certain books and genres don't work for me so I won't pick them up no matter what the in crowd is reading.

So the answer to the question is yes, sometimes, I feel compelled to read a book that everyone is reading and loving, but I no longer feel the pressure to read what the in crowd is reading because there really isn't much of an in crowd anymore, and I am happier not being a lemming. Better to be me and read what I want and be happy.

What about you all, are you still giving into the pressure or are you beating to your own drum?

08/07/2017

The author of Between Shades of Gray returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war's most devastating yet unknown tragedies.

In 1945, World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia, and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, almost all of them with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer toward safety.

Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.

Told in alternating points of view, and perfect for fans of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning , Erik Larson's critically acclaimed #1 New York Times bestseller Dead Wake, and Elizabeth Wein's Printz Honor Book Code Name Verity, this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff--the greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did in Between Shades of Gray,, Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.Audio, UnabridgedPublished February 2nd 2016 by Random HouseSource: Library

Four and a half stars: A moving, poignant and informative story of horror, heartache, loss, sacrifice and courage.

Joana, Emilia and Florian are three strangers trekking across the frozen wilderness of Germany, trying to avoid the Russians as they desperately search for salvation. Soon these three refugees paths will cross and their lives will never be the same as they bear witness to one of history's greatest and little known maritime disasters. Each survivor, bears a heavy burden of guilt. After traversing the snowy terrain and witnessing more unspeakable horrors, the group finally reaches the sea. At last, they board the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship they hope will deliver them to safety. Unfortunately, the great ship bearing ten thousand passengers, comes under attack by Russian subs. The ship quickly sinks, taking with it some nine thousand souls. This is the story of history's greatest maritime disaster.

What I Liked:

This is my first book by Ms. Sepetys, and it won't be my last. I have long put off reading her books because I know they expose the darker parts of history. I am glad I finally put on my big girl panties and read this book. This is a tough book to read at times as it is heartbreaking and horrible, but there is hope and tremendous courage, and most of all it is informative. I applaud Ms. Sepetys for bringing this little known story to light,

Salt to the Sea is a character driven novel. The story follows the journey of three teenagers as they fight for survival. Joana is nurse with a kind heart, who does her best to help everyone along the way. She is always picking up strays like the Wandering Boy, the Shoe Poet and Ingrid the blind girl. She continues to show passion to others to assuage her guilt from the past. Emilia is a fifteen year old, Polish girl alone and desperate in a land where she is hated. She has no hope and believes herself already dead, yet she shoulders on with tremendous courage. Florian is a young German, who once served with one of the elite art historians of the Nazi Reich. He saw the light about his superiors and ran with a big secret. He believes himself damned, and doesn't want to get close to anyone. Then there is Alfred, the character you love to hate. Alfred is a pompous, young German with delusion beliefs of grandeur. He is unctuous, obnoxious and a total wuss. I couldn't stand him, but I understood why he was included. Alfred shows us the mindset of the German soldiers, how they were completely brainwashed by Hitler's poisonous and erroneous beliefs. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, and my heart went out to them, except for Alfred.

There are also some tremendous secondary characters. I adored Heinz, the Shoe Poet, a shoe maker, who believe that the shoes a person wore told their story. I loved how he forged a relationship with the Wandering Boy, a young orphan found along the road. Ingrid, the young blind girl, who never left her blindness define her. She was courageous and kind, and she truly saw people.

I appreciated the amount of research and the detail in the story. I, like most people, had never heard of the Wilhelm Gustloff a Nazi ship carrying mostly civilians across the Baltic Sea in order to escape. The ship went down with an estimated ten thousand people, after it was hit by Russian torpedoes, killing some nine thousand souls. This maritime tragedy with its gruesome death toll, far exceeds the loss of Titanic and Lusitania, but history has forgotten this ship because it was a Nazi ship. If you are interested in history and you want to learn more about this disaster, read this book.

The author's note at the end is a must read. I liked learned more about the book and why the author wrote this story. I especially loved how she encourage us to bear witness to the survivors stories before they are lost to time.

The audiobook was fantastic. It incorporates four different narrators for each of the characters. I thought they all did a tremendous job. This is a book that I think was far better on audio vs. reading. If you can, get the audiobook.

And The Not So Much:

For all of you who detest multiple view points, this one will be a difficult read if you tackle it. The story is told with four voices, and the chapters alternate back and forth between the four. Often times, the chapters are very short. I liked getting to know the four characters, but the sudden shifts are jarring.

Alfred, the character you love to hate, is hard to get used to. His voice is so different from the other three. I couldn't stand him, but the more I got to know him, the better I understood why he was included. He is there to teach a lesson, so in the end I appreciated him, but I sure didn't like listening to his chapters. He did make me laugh toward the end with is wussy behavior.

The ending is abrupt. Yes, there was an Epilogue but it occurs years later, and there was so little detail about what happened to the characters after. I wish that the author had taken a bit more time and care with the ending. It was too rapid, and I needed more closure.

I was disappointed that the majority of the story was focused on the horrors of the trek across Germany instead of the ship sinking. In fact, there is very little involving the ship and the sinking. I wish that more of the book had been about the ship instead of the journey.

Salt to the Sea is an unforgettable book. This is a character driven book that incorporates the sinking disaster of a Nazi ship that carried ten thousand people. This is an informative and heartbreaking read that centers around three characters who are fighting for their lives. I urge you to check out this book, it is one that you won't soon forget.

I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

08/05/2017

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

Help! We are melting in the Pacific Northwest. Usually you are used to me telling you about endless rain, but believe or not, we haven’t had any rain in a month and a half with none in sight. This week, we have been hit with high temps around 105 on both Wednesday and Thursday, with overnight lows only dipping to seventy degrees. A good majority of us don’t have central air in Portland, because honestly we don’t usually need it. We have portable air conditioners in our rooms for sleeping so we are doing okay, but the main floor of the house has been 80 degrees by the end of the day. To make matters worse, we also have had lots of smoke and haze thanks to the wildfires burning in Canada and around us. The combination of the heat and the smoke has made for a yucky week. The temps have cooled off a touch this weekend after the 100 plus days, but we are still going to be in the nineties all week. Makes me feel like I am living in Phoenix again. This will pass, and soon we will be back in the endless rain and missing the sunshine. We have holed up in the afternoon with books, movies and I have stitched when it has been super hot outside.

Anyway, hope you are all surviving the heat wherever you are. Fall will be here about day after tomorrow.

I am getting closer and closer to completing my Happily Ever After Sampler. This week, I finished my August block, which is Aladdin. It turned out super cute. Only four more months to go…. I have really had fun stitching this one.

The blogosphere has been quiet this week as many people are on break, taking vacations. It will be nice when everyone is back online.

08/04/2017

How can we be nearing the midway point of August already? I know many of you will have kids going back to school in a couple of weeks. My kids don't start back until after Labor Day so we still have a few more weeks of summer sunshine and vacation to cram in. I am always on the hunt for great summer reads, so here are some of the highlights from next week's summer book releases. Be sure to tell me what books you are looking forward to reading and share how hot it is where you live. (Click on covers for details).

August 6th-13th

A rather eclectic mix this week, but I am sure that you can find something to throw into your suitcase for vacation.

Weather for Portland, Oregon:

Saturday: H 90 L 62 Sunny Sunday: H 95 L 64 Hot Sunny

Temps are a bit cooler this weekend after hot one hundred degree temps during the week. Stay cool and safe out there!

08/03/2017

Identical twin sisters who couldn't look more alike...or live more differently.Harper Frost is laid-back, easygoing. She doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. She likes a beer and a shot and wouldn't be caught dead wearing anything fashionable. She's inherited her father's rundown house on Martha's Vineyard, but she can't hold down a job, and her latest romantic disaster has the entire island talking. Two beautiful islands only eleven miles apart.Tabitha Frost is dignified, refined. She prefers a fine wine and has inherited the impeccable taste of her mother, the iconic fashion designer Eleanor Roxie-Frost. She's also inherited her mother's questionable parenting skills--Tabitha's teenage daughter, Ainsley, is in full rebellion mode--and a flailing fashion boutique on Nantucket in desperate need of a cash infusion. One unforgettable summer that will change their lives forever.After more than a decade apart, Harper and Tabitha switch islands--and lives--to save what's left of their splintered family. But the twins quickly discover that the secrets, lies, and gossip they thought they'd outrun can travel between islands just as easily as they can. Will Harper and Tabitha be able to bury the hatchet and end their sibling rivalry once and for all? Before the last beach picnic of the season, there will be enough old resentments, new loves, and cases of mistaken identity to make this the most talked-about summer that Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket have experienced in ages. AudioPublished July 13th 2017 by Hachette Audio Source: Publisher

Four and a half stars: An addictive story about two twin sisters who are both floundering in life and love, then a chance to change places arises, and they learn a thing or two about each other and their pasts.

Tabitha and Harper are identical twins who have been estranged for over ten years despite the fact that they live only eleven miles apart. One lives on Martha’s Vineyard, the other Nantucket. Both girls’ lives are a mess, they are failing in life, love and their careers. When their father dies, things spiral out of control. Then an opportunity arises for both of them. Tabitha will go to Martha’s Vineyard to restore their father’s house, while Harper heads to Nantucket to help run their mother’s faltering boutique and take on the care of Ainsley, Tabitha’s rebellious teenage daughter. Will the twins reconcile or forever go their separate ways?

What I Liked:

Ms. Hilderbrand knows how to write addictive family stories. I love her flawed characters, real life conflicts and familial relationships. This is story about identical twins who have lost their way. It reads kind of like a grown up Parent Trap. Lots of fun!

This book features three different view points: Harper, Tabitha and Ainsley. I liked getting to know each of the characters. Harper was my favorite of the three. At the beginning her life is the biggest mess. She has a low paying delivery job as she is spending a great deal of time caring for her dying father. Her love life is a disaster because she is in love with a married man and seeing a police officer. Then everything unravels. Tabitha, Harper’s twin, isn’t faring much better with her love life. She recently broke up with her long time boyfriend because she hasn’t worked through her feelings of loss. Her daughter, Ainsley, is completing running amok, and Tabitha has no control. Finally, her mother’s boutique that she manages is almost ready to go under. Last, there is Ainsley, Tabitha’s sixteen year old daughter. She is rebellious, spending her time drinking and partying. All three are flawed and sometimes not very likable, but they grow and change and become better people. It was fun watching them find their way. By the end, I liked all of them.

I found myself surprisingly enjoying the whole twin swap. I was expecting it to be cheesy, but it works. Neither twin tries to masquerade as the other. Instead, Tabitha and Harper each step into the other’s life and make things work. I loved that they both succeeded at something the other was failing at. I was especially rooting for Harper, especially because she took Ainsley under her wing.

The ending was well done. You get an Epilogue down the road showing what happened to Harper and Tabitha. There are some loose ends, but not enough to ruin the story.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Erin Bennett. Ms. Bennett is a terrific narrator. My only qualm is I wish her male voices were a bit better, but otherwise she is solid, and I always enjoy her work.

And The Not So Much:

I have to admit, I was disappointed when the reader finally learns what drove Tabitha and Harper apart. I was expecting it to be something far worse. I have to say, I was put off by Tabitha’s animosity toward Harper. Harper didn’t deserve the blame for what happened.

I wasn’t a big fan of either romance. Tabitha’s felt too rushed and driven by lust. I was not pleased with Harper’s relationship for reasons I can’t go into as I would spoil it. I was really hoping she would start a relationship with the person she started hanging out with after she switched places with Tabitha. At least the romances were not the main focus of the story.

Ainsley’s story takes a back seat at the end, I wished her story line was better developed.

The ending was too rushed. A lot goes down fast in the final pages, and then you get an Epilogue. I wish that a little more time was spent in the present before skipping ahead six months to the Epilogue.

The Identicals is an addictive summer read filled with family conflict, life changing problems, new beginnings and big changes. If you have read Ms. Hildenbrand’s books before, you are already familiar with her tried and true conflicted family relationships and flawed characters. This is an easy book to get lost in, and one that I found to be lots of fun. If you want a light, entertaining book for summer, this is one to try if you don’t mind family drama.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

08/02/2017

Being broke, unemployed, and stranded back in the tiny town of Pick, Texas, was not part of Jancy Wilson’s plan. Yet here she is, watching her car literally go up in smoke—along with her last-ditch hope of staying with her cousin in Louisiana. When Jancy spies a Help Wanted sign hanging in the window of the quaint Strawberry Hearts Diner, the memories of the two years she spent there as a teenager—and the lure of the diner’s beloved strawberry tarts—are enough to draw her in and plant her feet…but only temporarily.

Raised by parents who refused to settle anywhere for long, Jancy has never known what it is to have roots. Now that Jancy’s swept up by the warmth and character of this quirky little community—and by the pull of an old crush—it’s beginning to feel like home. She’s making friends and even discovering the sweetness of falling in love. But when the town is threatened, Jancy knows it will take more than its legendary tarts to save it. Can she fight for this little Texas town—knowing she might not stay forever?Kindle Edition, 288 pagesPublished July 18th 2017 by Montlake RomanceSource: Publisher

Three and a half stars: A sweet, down home romance. Perfect for when you need something light and cozy.

Jancy is trying to make it to Louisiana on a wing and a prayer. After a quick stop in Pick, Texas, to visit her grandmother’s grave, Jancy puts on her lucky cap and prays her car will make the final stretch. Unfortunately, the car breaks down and burns up right in front of the Strawberry Hearts Diner in Pick. Luckily, Nettie and Vickie are in desperate need of a waitress, so they hire Jancy on the spot because they remember her grandmother and they remember Jancy when she lived there as a teen. Soon Jancy has everything her hearts desires, a job, a home, friends and love, but she fears it will all get snatched away because she has never been able to stay in one place for long. Will Jancy finally put down roots?

What I Liked:

This book is pure comfort reading. It is filled with delicious food, wonderful characters, a cozy small town setting, romance, family and friendship. Just what you need when you crave a light and fluffy read.

I loved that the book centered around four strong, independent women. First there is Nettie, the matriarch of the group. Nettie is in her seventies, but age hasn’t slowed her down. She still rises early every morning to make the signature strawberry tarts for that made the diner famous. Nettie is a funny, no nonsense gal with a heart of gold and a strong work ethic. She is the backbone of the group. Vickie, is the co owner of the diner, and she was handed a tough lot when she lost her mother and husband as a young woman before her baby was born. Her life has been devoted to the diner and her daughter. I loved seeing Vickie grow and blossom when she falls in love. Next up are Vickie and Jancy. Two young women from very different backgrounds who become friends. I enjoyed seeing all four of these women come together and form a family.

For all you romance lovers, there is plenty of romance in this one. You get three different romantic relationships. I liked that they all start out as friends, they bond and then sparks fly. I also appreciated that none of the romances overtook the story. They were sweet, subtle and lovely.

I loved the small town setting. Pick, Texas is a town where everyone knows each other, and they look out for one another. When a fast talking developer swoops in trying to buy out the town, the folks dig their heels in and show him a thing or two about the residents of Pick.

The highlight of the story for me was all the delicious food that the ladies cooked up in the diner. I was craving strawberry tarts by the time I finished. I swear, Carolyn Brown needs to write a cook book!

I appreciated that this book was light, uplifting and that there was little conflict. It is perfect for when you need a pick me up, or when you want a light, fluffy read.

The ending was sweet and satisfying. It ends on a high note that left me smiling.

And The Not So Much:

Early on, a smooth talking developer comes to town intent on buying out the town to build houses. At first, I thought this would be the major conflict in the story, but the story line came and went in the story. Then it disappears without a solid resolution. I wish that was fleshed out more.

I loved the blossoming friendship between Vickie and Andy. I wanted more of this relationship.

The second half the book felt a bit unfocused. Not much happens, just a few bumps and then it has a nice happy ending.

The Strawberry Hearts Diner is an easy, breezy read perfect for summer reading. I loved that the story was light and upbeat without heavy drama and angst. I appreciated that this one was all about friends, family, love and roots. If you like light, fluffy comfort reading, this is the book to grab for summer.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

08/01/2017

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where I discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

Here is the hot topic for the week:

Do you give out one star reviews?

This week's discussion is a continuation of last week's post where I discussed writing whether it was easier or harder these days to write a negative review, which leads me into the topic of the one star review. When I first started blogging almost six years ago, there was a rash of reviewers on Goodreads who were quick to give out the one star rating. Most of these reviews were written by younger reviewers who liked to rant and rave, often times with crude language and nasty commentary. Sometimes the reviews, in an attempt to be funny and draw more attention, were accompanied by gifs and pictures. These reviews often did garner a lot of attention, some of it negative, especially if an author chose to interact with the blogger. Thus, the one star rating in my mind, has long been associated with drama. This is one of the reasons I have always refrained from giving out a one star review. I didn't want to draw negative attention or be in anyone's cross hairs as often the one star reviews attract trolls. I don't spend much time on Goodreads these days, I just research books and that's about it. I always skip over the one star reviews because most of the time they aren't balanced or worth reading.

Another reason I don't give out the one star rating is because I don't think it is fair. Lots of time, reviewers use the one star rating when they are making a point or boycotting an author, or others give it out for DNF books. In my opinion, if you haven't read the book, you shouldn't be giving out a rating. When I DNF a book, I don't rate it because the book could have had some stunning developments that I might have liked had I finished.

Finally, I feel the one star rating is disrespectful. I always try to put myself in the shoes of the person writing the book, and imagine how I would feel if my hard work was unfairly criticized with a one star rating, especially by people who haven't even read the book. I wouldn't like it at all. So I always try to remain respectful when posting ratings and reviews. There have been a few times when a book has been exceptionally bad for me, and in those rare cases, I have chosen not to write a review or rate the book at all because I couldn't find anything nice to say.

I know that we live in a country with free speech, and everyone has a right to their opinion. So those of you who give out the one star, it is your choice, and I will not judge you for your opinions on the matter.

For me, it is a personal decision, and I will continue to refrain from the one star rating as I feel if I can't say something nice at all about a book, then it is best to keep it to myself.

However, there might be a time a time when I would use the one star rating. If I ever ran across a book that had extremely offensive material, I wouldn't hesitate to use it in that situation.

What about you all, I would love to have you sound in on this controversial topic.